A Surprising Assist Helps St. John's Past Rutgers

              Head coach Chris Mullin  called his team's 61-59 win over Rutgers on Thursday "a total team effort". The team had rallied from as many as 16 points down in the early stages of the second half to eventually forge the win. And the team effort to which Coach Mullin referred included not only the coaches and players but an assist from the front office so to speak.

     "Credit Joe Oliva", Mullin said referring to St. John's interim AD who also serves as the schools general counsel. "At about 4:30 today he brought us the news that Felix was eligible."

              Felix of course is  Felix Balamou the junior wing man who missed the previous two games due to an NCAA investigation. His reinstatement to the roster could not have come at a better time for a team that began the year short in numbers and had lost freshman Malik Ellison to a foot injury.

For the entire first half and a good portion of the second half, St. John's could not find any rhythm on offense. And while Rutgers did not look much better they did take advantage of 12 Johnnie turnovers in the first half to take an early lead and when former Loughlin star Mike Williams and reserve Bishop Daniels scored 5 straight points that lead was 7 at the intermission.  Another Rutgers rally that ended with a Mike Williams triple made the score 45-29 with just under 15 minutes left.

              Balamou then went to work, converting a layup and then assisting on a three pointer  by Amar Alibegovic. From there Mullin and the coaching staff did a terrific job putting Balamou in position to make plays. Often on the post or on the baseline he was required to make a quick decision but not required to handle the ball to initiate offense. Balamou's execution combined with excellent the coaching staff's ability to move him around lead to an individual stat line for Felix that included 8 points, 11 rebounds. 7 assists and one turnover. The assists/turnover ratio impressed his coach who called it "outstanding at any level". The 11 rebounds were a function of the amazing energy Felix brings with him an time he gets a chine to play.

              St. John's kept coming even when Rutgers got some scoring answers from D.J. Foreman and Deshawn Freeman. They finally took their first lead of the second half on two free throws by Ron Mouika with 1:18 left. While their execution down the stretch was far from flawless Rutgers which had left the door open a bit for St, John's with quick shots could not take advantage. St. John's did just enough to earn a tough win as they head to Maui and a difficult week of basketball tests.

For St. John's Federico Mussini and Yankuba Sima each had 13 points while Ron Mouika added 12

For Rutgers Bishop Daniels had a game high 21 points while Mike Williams added 13.